The Province has taken significant action to modernize British Columbia’s regulatory regime, streamline processes and enhance access to services, according to the fifth annual report on regulatory reform.

The Province is taking steps to ensure all new or updated government laws and regulations consider the regulatory impact on citizens and small businesses, as part of its commitment to cut red tape and improve the way British Columbians interact with their government.

The Province is supporting increased consumer choice and encouraging the growth of B.C. small businesses by modernizing policy to allow any establishment that sells liquor to provide samples in a socially responsible manner.

The year was 1921: B.C.’s population was a modest 525,000, prohibition against alcohol was over, and the very first nine government liquor stores opened their doors on June 15.

Applications are now being accepted for this year’s Open for Business Awards, which highlight the efforts of municipalities, regional districts and First Nations governments to grow small businesses in their communities and share their successes with others.

As winners of the Province’s inaugural Celebrate Entrepreneurship Award a team of 12 secondary school students from Vancouver received $3,000 to support the growth of their innovative air freshener business named Waft.

As part of the ongoing commitment to improve the way British Columbians access government services, the Province has already completed 40% of its commitments to cut red tape, following a public engagement last fall.

British Columbians have shown their compassion and kindness for the residents of Fort McMurray by donating $384,089 through BC Liquor Stores.

More than 15 local small business leaders met with members of the B.C. Small Business Roundtable and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick to discuss their unique challenges and identify opportunities for growth.